Backpack

Abstract

An improved convertible backpack construction is convertible from wheeled luggage to backpack and includes a back panel with a pocket for storing attachment belts and carrying straps.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Backpack luggage comprising in combination: 
       a generally planar, rigid back panel, said back panel having a back side and a front side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a spaced second side edge;  
       an enclosure attached to the front side of the back panel;  
       a retaining flap on the back side of the back panel foldable about a fold line extending between the first and second side edges, said flap having an inside face and an outside face, said flap including a back cushion on the inside face, said cushion being stored by folding the retaining flap inside face against the back side of the back panel; and  
       the backside of the back panel including retaining straps attached thereto, at least some of said retaining straps foldable against the cushion for storage by the retaining flap when folded.  
     
     
       2. The construction of  claim 1  further including wheels attached to the luggage construction at the bottom edge of the back panel, said retaining flap being foldable to an open position which extends over the bottom edge to shield the wheels when the retaining flap is open. 
     
     
       3. The construction of  claim 1  further including shoulder straps extending from the top edge of the back panel connectable to the backside of the back panel for carriage of the construction as a backpack. 
     
     
       4. The construction of  claim 1  further including a telescoping handle attached to the front side of the back panel and extendable telescopically upwardly from the top edge. 
     
     
       5. The construction of  claim 1  including a first side strap on the first side of the back side and a second side strap on the second side of the back side, said first and second side straps being connectable to form a backpack retention belt. 
     
     
       6. Backpack luggage comprising, in combination: 
       a generally planar, rigid back panel having a back side and a front side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a spaced second side edge;  
       an enclosure attached to the front side of the back panel;  
       first and second back straps extending from the top edge of the back panel downwardly;  
       a retaining flap on the back side of the back panel foldable about a fold line extending between the first and second edges of the back panel against the back panel to provide a retaining pocket;  
       a first strap connector and a second strap connector affixed to the back side of the back panel, said first and second connectors being retained by the retaining flap when said retaining flap is folded against the back panel;  
       said first and second strap connectors attachable to the first and second back straps respectively to provide means for carrying the back pack.  
     
     
       7. The construction of  claim 6  further including a lumbar cushion affixed to the back panel intermediate the first and second connectors. 
     
     
       8. Backpack luggage comprising in combination a generally planar, rigid back panel, said back panel having a back side and a front side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a spaced second side edge; 
       an enclosure attached to the front side of the back panel;  
       a retaining flap on the back side of the back panel foldable about a fold line extending between the first and second side edges, said flap having an inside face and an outside face, said flap including a back cushion on the inside face, said cushion being stored by folding the retaining flap inside face against the back side of the back panel; and  
       a first side strap on the first side of the back side and a second side strap on the second side of the back side, said first and second side straps being connectable to form a backpack retention belt.  
     
     
       9. The construction of  claim 8  having at least one of the first side strap and said second side strap foldable against the cushion for storage by the retaining flap when folded. 
     
     
       10. The construction of  claim 8  further including wheels attached to the luggage construction at the bottom edge of the back panel, said retaining flap being foldable to an open position which extends over the bottom edge to cover the wheels when the retaining flap is open. 
     
     
       11. The construction of  claim 8  further including shoulder straps extending from the top edge of the back panel connectable to the back side of the back panel for carriage of the luggage as a backpack. 
     
     
       12. The construction of  claim 8  further including a telescoping handle attached to the front side of the back panel and extendable telescopically upwardly from the top edge. 
     
     
       13. Backpack luggage comprising in combination: 
       a generally planar, rigid back panel, said back panel having a back side and a front side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a spaced second side edge;  
       an enclosure attached to the front side of the back panel and wherein said back panel further includes retaining straps attached thereto, at least one of said retaining straps foldable against the cushion for storage by the retaining flap when folded against the back panel;  
       a retaining flap on the back side of the back panel foldable about a fold line extending between the first and second side edges, said flap having an inside face and an outside face, said back panel back side including a lumbar cushion attached thereto, said flap being foldable to cover said cushion and store said cushion therein by attachment of said retaining flap against the cushion and the back panel.  
     
     
       14. The construction of  claim 13  further including a first side strap on the first side of the back side and a second side strap on the second side of the back side, said first and second side straps being connectable to form a backpack retention belt.